Ethiopia Alarmed by Egypt-Somalia Defense Deal Amid Horn of Africa Tensions

Ethiopia is increasingly worried about a recent defence agreement between Egypt and Somalia. The deal was signed during Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud's visit to Cairo, where he met Egyptian President Abdel-Fatah el-Sissi. The specifics of the agreement remain undisclosed.

The Somali ambassador to Cairo, Ali Abdi Aware, mentioned on a Mogadishu radio station that military equipment from Egypt had arrived in Somalia. He described this as "the first practical step to implementing that deal." Aware also stated that Egyptian troops would be deployed to Somalia after December 31, when the African Union's peacekeeping mission ends.

Concerns Over Regional Stability

Egypt has not confirmed these plans or the shipment of military equipment. However, Ethiopia's foreign ministry expressed concern, stating it "cannot stand idle while other actors are taking measures to destabilize the region." The prospect of Egyptian troops in Somalia has raised alarms in Addis Ababa.

There are two significant disputes involving Ethiopia, Egypt, and Somalia. The first involves Ethiopia's construction of a $4 billion dam on the Blue Nile. Egypt fears this dam will severely affect its water supply unless Ethiopia considers its needs. Ethiopia aims to use the dam for electricity generation.

Disputes Over Somaliland

The second dispute concerns Somaliland, a region that declared independence from Somalia over 30 years ago but is not recognised internationally. Ethiopia seeks access to the Red Sea through an agreement with Somaliland to lease land for a marine base. In return, Ethiopia would recognise Somaliland as an independent state. Somalia opposes this arrangement.

Somalia's federal government has been supported by an African Union peacekeeping mission since 2007 in its fight against al-Shabab, an extremist group linked to al-Qaida. Even after the AU peacekeepers leave, troops from countries like Uganda and Burundi may remain under bilateral agreements.

Monitoring Developments

Ethiopia announced it was "vigilantly monitoring developments in the region that could threaten its national security" and accused Somalia of "colluding with external actors" to undermine regional stability. Somaliland also voiced its opposition to any deployment of Egyptian troops in Somalia.

The situation remains tense as Ethiopia continues to watch closely for any actions that might destabilise the Horn of Africa region further.